Transverter
A device that shifts a transceiver's operating frequency range.
A transverter is a single unit containing both an upconverter and a downconverter. In radio engineering, it works with a transceiver to shift the range of frequencies the transceiver can handle. In electrical power engineering, it is a universal converter that can combine, convert, analyze, and control any mix of DC or AC power.
In amateur radio, rather than replacing an expensive or well-loved radio, operators can add a transverter to reach new bands. Some transceiver makers support this by including dedicated circuitry and cable connections. Transverters are most often used to let HF or VHF radios operate on higher microwave bands; the transceiver then acts as an intermediate frequency (IF) radio. Common pairings include 28 MHz IF radios with transverters for 50, 70, 144, 222, or 432 MHz, and 144 MHz IF radios with transverters for 50, 902, 1296, 2304, 3456, 5706, or 10368 MHz. Some transverters include built-in transmit/receive switching; others need external switching, which is popular when preamps or amplifiers are involved. For tower or antenna mounting, certain transverters come in waterproof enclosures to reduce signal loss in the feed line. High-speed multimedia radio systems use 802.11 (WiFi) transceivers with transverters for wireless broadband in amateur frequency bands.
Transverters can also shift signals to lower frequencies than the transceiver’s range, often with simpler design constraints. Low-frequency bands are used worldwide by amateur operators, licensed experimental stations, and some unlicensed hobbyists. These LF transverters typically use HF transceivers as the IF radio. Some are used for communications where stations are underground (e.g., mines) or underwater (e.g., shallow submersibles).
Historically, “transverter” referred to a 1920s British electromechanical device that produced high-voltage DC from AC for long-distance power lines. Modern transverters are all solid-state and more versatile, converting and combining power from solar panels, batteries, wind generators, fuel cells, the grid, generators, and both DC and AC loads. They automatically analyze and convert between voltages and AC/DC types, allowing energy to flow among all connected devices. With the smart grid, transverters have become popular for combining renewable energy, demand management, and community energy storage in homes or offices.
- Common if radio frequencies
- 28 MHz and 144 MHz
- Transverter frequencies for 28 mhz if
- 50 MHz, 70 MHz, 144 MHz, 222 MHz, 432 MHz
- Transverter frequencies for 144 mhz if
- 50 MHz, 902 MHz, 1296 MHz, 2304 MHz, 3456 MHz, 5706 MHz, 10368 MHz
- Historical origin
- electromechanical device invented in Britain in the 1920s for producing high-voltage DC from AC
Lore & Background
In amateur radio, transverters are most commonly used to convert transceivers designed for HF or VHF bands to operate on higher frequency microwave bands. The transceiver used in this way is called an IF radio, as it connects into the intermediate frequency electronics. Common combinations include transverters for 50 MHz through 432 MHz with a 28 MHz IF radio, and transverters for 50 MHz through 10368 MHz with a 144 MHz IF radio. Some transverters include built-in transmit/receive switching, while others require external switching, which is popular when preamps and amplifiers are included. Some transverters are built into waterproof enclosures for installation on towers to reduce signal loss in the transmission line. Transverters can also be used for low band applications where the transverter frequency is lower than the transceiver frequency, often with relaxed design constraints, and are used for communications underground or underwater.
Reader's Guide
Transverters hold significance in amateur radio by providing an economical way for operators to access new frequency bands without replacing a high-quality transceiver. Some manufacturers support add-on transverters by designing in circuitry and cabling attachments. Transverters are used with 802.11 (WiFi) transceivers to achieve Wireless Broadband communication in amateur radio frequency bands. In electrical power engineering, the term 'transverter' also refers to a universal power converter that can combine, convert, analyze, and control any combinations of DC or AC power. Historically, the name was used for an electromechanical device invented in Britain in the 1920s to produce high-voltage DC from AC for efficient power distribution. Modern solid-state transverters are used to convert and combine power from sources like solar panels, batteries, wind generators, fuel cells, and the grid, enabling energy flow between devices. With the Smart Grid, transverters have become popular for combining renewable energy, demand management, and community energy storage, and they locally correct for power factor, reducing transmission loss.
Did You Know?
- Transverters are used with 802.11 (WiFi) transceivers for Wireless Broadband in amateur radio bands.
- Some transverters are built into waterproof enclosures for tower installation to reduce signal loss.
- The term 'transverter' originally referred to an electromechanical device invented in Britain in the 1920s.
- Transverters can be used for communications where stations are underground or underwater.
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